Medical Assistant
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Assistant is expected to be one of the fastest growing professions and one of the Top Ten Hottest Careers through 2012. Job opportunities are excellent as with many professions related to the healthcare industry. The healthcare services industry has grown tremendously and continues to expand, thanks to technological breakthroughs. The growing number of aging American population seeking medical treatment has also fueled the need for more support personnel.This is one of the fastest growing professions in California.
If you are wondering where all the Fresno and Fresno county jobs are, then you should know that the the top 4 Private Sector Employers in Fresno county and central San Joaquin Valley are all health care and medical centers.
In fact, there are 5 health care and medical centers in the top 10 Private Sector Employers list -- Community Medical Center (#1)
- Beverly Health Care (#2)
- Saint Agnes Medical Center (#3)
- Kaiser Permanente (#4)
- Children's Hospital Central California (#7).
There are also many other hospitals and medical facilities in Fresno that require medical personnel as well. Thus, if you're looking for jobs in Fresno or Fresno county, this is a great profession to be in.
While job applicants generally only need a high school diploma, most employers prefer to hire applicants that have gone through a medical assisting program offered in some community colleges, vocational or trade schools.
Those programs provide training for job related procedures and techniques.
How to Become a Medical Assistant
Here's what you need to know:
1) What is a Medical Assistant?
2) Duties and Responsibilities
3) Licensing Requirements in California
4) How to become a CMA
5) How to become a RMA
6) How to become a CCMA
7) Show me the money!
8) Schools (You can request information from medical assistant schools in YOUR state here)
1) What is a Medical Assistant?
The Medical Board of California defines Medical Assistants as unlicensed health professionals who perform basic administrative, clerical and non-invasive, routine medical tasks under the supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon or podiatrist in a medical office or clinic setting.
The supervising physician, surgeon or podiatrist must be on premises in order for the assistant to perform those non-invasive medical tasks.
2) Duties and Responsibilities
A medical assistant's duties vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. Duties may include:
- Taking medical histories
- Recording vital signs
- Explaining treatment procedures to patients
- Preparing patients for examination
- Assisting the physician during the examination
- Assisting patients in ambulation and transfers
- Applying and remove bandages and dressings
- Operating a computerized patient management system
- Scheduling appointments
- Recording and filing information on patients and medical records
If you're considering this or other health care careers, here're some books you should check out:
3) Licensing Requirements in California
Medical assistants are currently NOT licensed, certified, or registered by the State of California.
However, to stand out among others in the field or to be more attractive to potential employers, one might consider getting a certification.
The 3 Certifying Agencies approved by the Medical Board of California are:
- American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) - offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential
- American Medical Technologists (AMT) - offers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential
- California Medical Assistants Association (CMAA) - offers the California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential
4) How to become a CMA
To become a CMA, one must take and pass the AAMA CMA Certification exam AND:
- be a graduate from an accredited medical assisting program which accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
5) How to become a RMA
To become a RMA, one must take and pass the RMA exam and satisfy all the following requirements:
- be of good moral character and at least 18 years of age.
- be a graduate of an accredited high school or acceptable equivalent.
- be either:
(a) a graduate of a medical assisting program that is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP), a Regional Accrediting Commission or by a national accrediting organization approved by the United States Department of Education OR Formal medical services training program of the United States Armed Forces;
or
(b) be employed in the field for a minimum of 5 years
6) How to become a CCMA
To become a CCMA, one must take and pass the CCMA exam which consists of 3 areas: Basic, Administrative and Clinical and satisfy one of the following requirements:
7) Show me the money!
The average medical assistants' salaries vary depending on location and size of the business and the experience level of the individual.
Starting out, the hourly rate is from minimum wage to $12.50 an hour. With experience, one can expect to earn about $21.00 an hour.
The median salary in 2003 in California was approximately $26,900.
8) Schools
Below are trade schools in Fresno that offer the medical assisting program. If accreditation with the different agencies is important to you, please verify with the school prior to enrolling.
The best way to decide on a school is to gather the information first and then compare them.
The easiest way to do this is to request information from several schools online and compare the info.
Request info from Medical Assistant Schools in CA
| School | Phone # |
| Galen College of Medical and Dental Assistants | 559.264.9726 |
| Heald College | 559.438.4222 |
| Institute of Technology | 559.297.4500 |
| Mced Career College | 559.456.0623 |
For more info on Healthcare or Medical Careers, check out: Medical Careers